16 October - 31 October 2000

15 OCTOBER 2000

Cafu Threatens To Quit Roma

Cafu made the following comments after he was subjected to racist abuse
following Roma's Italian Cup defeat by Atalanta.

"I do not want to think of what could have happened if one of the windows
on my car had been broken by the violence of the fans. I had my children with
me (in the car), there could have been a tragedy. I hope I will not find myself
in front of one of those people who boo black players. I do not know what
might happen." 

Zidane Ban Reduced

UEFA has cut the Champions League ban on media darling Zinedine Zidane
because "although the challenge had endangered Emerson's safety, no physical
contact had been made.". How convenient. Had another player made such a
violent challenge would they escape with a one match ban?


13 OCTOBER 2000

Biscan Saga Over

Igor Biscan has ended months of speculation by signing for Liverpool for
around £7 million. The Dinamo Zagreb midfielder will join the Reds in
December.


11 OCTOBER 2000

Maresca Joins Bologna

Bologna are expected to complete the signing of Juventus midfielder Enzo
Maresca later today. Juve signed Maresca from West Brom last season but
he was never given an opportunity to establish himself in the first team.

Zaccheroni Will Quit At End of Season

After praising his players for their performances against Romania, Alberto
Zaccheroni has stated that he will quit as coach of Milan at the end of the
season.

"Very few teams can say that they have provided all the Azzurri's midfield
and, with five players in the squad."

"It's a source of great pride for the club. I'm very happy for Coco. It's great
reward for what he's done with Milan. The left side of the team looked very
balanced with Maldini and Coco." 

"It's a good Milan, which is why it's a pity that from next season I will not be
the coach of this Milan side." .

Having already signed a glut of young Italian players over the past two
seasons Milan are again looking at domestic talent. Midfielder Massimo Donati
will join next season for £10 million from Atalanta. The club are also linked
with midfielders Ighli Vannucchi from Salernitana and Marco Marchionni from
Empoli.


10 OCTOBER 2000

Lippi Flattered

Recently sacked Inter coach Marcello Lippi has hinted of his interest in the
vacant England managers job - "I have spoken to friends in England and I
hear my name mentioned in connection with the England job. It is very
gratifying to be in the frame for such a prestigious position.".

Totti Hints At Milan

Francesco Totti has again hinted at leaving Roma for Milan - "I want to stay
at Roma but there is a limit to even my patience. If I understand that there
is no intention to resolve the matter (new contract) then I will start looking
around. The San Siro is a lovely stage, but my stadium is the Olympic
Stadium.".

Jacquet Not Interested In England Job

Former French national team coach Aime Jacquet is the latest candidate to
rule himself out of the job of England coach "I have no intention of returning
to the playing field in high level soccer in England or elsewhere.".

With Peter Taylor and Bryan Robson (mercifully) also ruling themselves out
the current candidates are Bobby Robson, Arsene Wenger, Jean Tigana and
Peter Reid. Newcastle has stated that they will not let Robson leave and his
age will count against him. Wenger cannot obviously pick any Frenchman so
he doesn't seem likely to take the job! Fulham will not want to loose another
coach to England (Keegan left Fulham) especially as they have made a 100%
start to their first division campaign with 9 wins in 9 games leaving Peter
Reid as favourite in my opinion. Marcello Lippi may also be considered.

FRANCE ROUND-UP by Paul Bailey

The Revolving Door of French Coaching

Alain Giresse left his position as head-coach of Toulouse FC earlier this week
(oct.3), to be replaced by just-fired Robert Nouzaret of Saint-Etienne.

Robert Nouzaret's position has been filled by Welshman John Toshack, who
signed a 10-month contract with the club. Saint-Etienne previously had tried
to get Oswaldo Piazza from Independiente Buenos Aires, but the Argentine
coach couldn't get out of his contract with the club.

Sedan Open New Stadium

CS Sedan-Ardennes marked the inauguration of their new stadium, the
Louis-Dugauguez, on sunday to a unanimous vote from city officials. The
first match to be played at the 24,000 seat, 140 million franc building is
the postponed match from Round 6 against Rennes.

It was also announced that club president Michel Berard is going to leave the
club in june of 2001.

Paul Bailey


7 OCTOBER 2000

Keegan Quits As England Coach

"Some of the crowd had some things to say and when it comes to decisions
like this then that is where the power should be. I just told the players that I
felt I could just not provide that little bit extra which is needed at this level.
I told them I gave it my best shot."

INTER NEWS by Paul Mettewie

Tardelli New Inter Coach

Marco Tardelli, the manager of the Italy's Euro champion under-21 side, is to
be the new manager of FC Internazionale di Milano.

Tardelli, 46, will be officially introduced to the press this coming Monday. He is
rumored to be signing a three-year contract worth about 1.25 million dollars a
season. He will manage his last game as under-21 coach this Wednesday as
Italy takes on Georgia.

And one other thing - sources close to Lazio say Marcelo Salas is very close to
joining his national team strike partner Ivan Zamorano, at Inter as well. The
rumor mill has Inter giving Lazio 50 billion lira (about 25 million USD) plus
half-ownership in Croatian international Dario Simic.

Lippi Sacked Over The Internet!

MILANO - (Rooters) Marcello Lippi was handed a blindfold, given a Cigarillo and
marched into a pool of ravenous White Sharks today outside of San Siro.
Prodding Signore Lippi down the planks and into the frothing water was the
head of the Inter Internet fan club.

Said the fan club president "Now Lippi sleeps with the fishes, as a matter of
fact, he sleeps *inside* several fishes. I hope that we Nerazzurri fans will sleep
(fishless) in a more comfortable manner now that the Lippian nightmare has
ended."

Prior to becoming soccer sushi, Lippi gave a brief interview in which he blamed
international Freemasonry, Elvis Impersonators, and the Queen of England for
most of his problems, while graciously allowing that he may have made a
mistake or two along the line "although I forget when since it is so long since
I have made an error." After this statement a hail of stones from irate listeners
at the press conference threatened to knock Lippi into the pool before his
appointed time. A heroic Massimo Moratti intervened, shielding Lippi with
the bodies of Alvaro Recoba and Anselmo Robbiati, seldom used "trequartistas"
who allegedly are on the Inter roster.

The entire occasion was broadcast over the Internet using the official Inter
website and three cameras. One of these cameras was dubbed "Sharkcam" -
a nifty little unit taped to the head of a 15-foot Carcharadon Carcharias.
Just before he disappeared inside the mouth of the animal, Lippi could be
heard calling the fish "spoiled" and a "slacker." This did not appear to help his
situation much, although Inter press officers are denying reports that the
sharks in question threw up shortly after ingesting Mr. Lippi.

Mr. Lippi is survived by a wife, two children, an accounting firm, and an ego the
size of the Abruzzi.

Paul Mettewie


6 OCTOBER 2000

Passarella Turns Down Inter

Daniele Passarella is expected to announce in a press conference later today
that he has declined to take up the offer to coach former club Inter Milan.
Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli are being tipped to succeed Lippi in a joint
coaching role.

Barca Get River Plate Duo

Barca have signed striker Javier Saviola and playmaker Pablo Aimar from River
Plate. Saviola is expected to join in December with Aimar to follow in June 2001.

5 OCTOBER 2000

Passarella Favourite For Inter Job

Former Inter great Daniel Passarella is favourite to replace Marcello Lippi as
coach of Inter Milan. Passarella is currently coaching the Uruguayan national
team. Inter President Massimo Amoretti is set to announce the new coach on
Monday. In other Inter news Lazio striker Marcelo Salas could be on his way
to the San Siro. Lazio have been trying to offload the Chilean for months.

Dudek To Replace Seamen?

Feyenoord goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, outstanding for the Dutch club during last
season's Champions League competition, is rumoured to be a target for Arsenal
who are looking to replace fat boy David Seamen in goal.

Stuanton Released

Liverpool have released 31 year old defender Steve Staunton. Middlesbrough
would be an obvious destination.

Petit Going Back To London?

The Spanish press are speculating that Emmanuel Petit is a target for Chelsea.
The midfielder has struggled at Barcelona while playing in an unfamiliar
defensive role. Petit may be content to sit on the bench before the arrival of
a new coach at the Nou Camp, which is almost a certainty given the clubs
disastrous form in La Liga and the Champions League.

Redondo Out For Six Months

Fernando Redondo will miss six months of the season following knee surgery.
The Argentinean has yet to play a competitive game for Milan.

Boy Killed In Stadium

A thirteen year old boy was killed last week in Goias' Stadium during the match
between Goias and Sao Paulo. He was struck by concrete thrown by a 'fan'.
The stadium has been shut down and police has arrested a suspect.

Haldan Dead At 24

Romanian midfielder Catalin Haldan died after collapsing on the field during a
friendly between his club Dinamo Bucharest and Oltenita.


3 OCTOBER 2000

Good News For Brazil!

Carlos Alberto Parreira has ruled himself out of the job of national team
coach.Parreira guied Brazil to their fourth World Cup triumph in 1994 and they
played some of the most insipid football ever seen by a Brazil team.

1999 Serie A Player Awards

Based on the votes of the Italian Footballers Association (AIC)

Best Italian Player : Francesco Totti (Roma)
Best Foreign Player : Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)
Young Player of the Season : Roberto Baronio (Reggina)
Best Coach : Sven Goran Eriksson (Lazio)
Best Referee : Pierluigi Collina
Player of the Century : Franco Baresi (Milan)

Best Italian player should have went to Nesta (Lazio). Totti did bugger all in
the last two months of the season.

Best coach should have went to Claudio Prandelli who guided Verona to 9th
place on limited resources and managed to play some of the best football in
Serie A. It's hardly great coaching leading a team to a Championship after
spending about £150 million on players.

Injury Update

Allesandro Pistone (DF, Everton) - out for 6 months with a broken leg

Coaching Updates

Antonio Lopes to Atlético-PR
Fito Neves to Coritiba


2 OCTOBER 2000

Lippi Sacked!

Marcello Lippi has been sacked as coach of Inter Milan. Vice President Peppino
Prisco said "It was on the cards because of the lack of results and the team's
lack of any system of play. And if you don't win and you don't give the team
a system of play." 

Brazil Still Looking For Coach

'Big Phil' Luiz Felipe Scolari has turned down the chance to coach Brazil's
national team. In the mean-time Luxemburgo's assistant will coach the team
with Levir Culip (Sao Paulo), Emerson Leao (Sport) and Paulo Cesar
Carpeggiani rumoured to be the CBF's next targets.

Gil Does It Again

Atletico Madrid president Jesus Gil has sacked his 23rd coach. Fernando
Zambrano is the latest victim. The club lie 3rd bottom in La Liga B.

Lippi Lets Rip

Inter coach Marcello Lippi has blasted his team followed their embarrassing
defeat against Reggina on the opening day of the season - "If I was president
of the club I would dismiss the coach and line up the players against a wall
and give them a kick up the backside. They played like spoilt children who
think that they are great players and the victories will just arrive."


1 OCTOBER 2000

Luxemburgo Sacked

The CBF have sacked Wanderley Luxemburgo. Big Phil Scolari is expected to 
be named Brazil coach on Monday.